In a tragic incident on Sunday evening, suspected militants targeted a bus carrying pilgrims from a Hindu shrine in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of at least nine passengers and injuring over 40 others. Among the casualties were the bus driver, conductor, and a two-year-old child. This attack, the deadliest on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir this year, is particularly alarming as it occurred in an area previously considered free from militancy, indicating a concerning spill-over effect from neighboring districts with increased militant activities.
Reasi district, with its proximity to Jammu, important religious sites, and hydroelectric projects, boasts better infrastructure and road connectivity compared to nearby districts like Rajouri and Poonch.
This is the second attack on pilgrims in Reasi since 2022, following a similar incident in May of that year where militants targeted a bus returning from the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Despite initial categorization as an accident, subsequent investigations revealed the involvement of militants in that attack. The recent assault on Hindu pilgrims in Reasi raises questions about the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government’s assertions of peace in the region following the revocation of Article 370.
The attack has drawn condemnation from local opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir, with former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressing concern over the resurgence of militancy in previously cleared areas.
Reasi district, a hub for religious tourism in the predominantly Hindu Jammu region, attracts millions of pilgrims annually to sites like the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and the Shiv Khori cave. The region’s significance in religious tourism underscores the severity of Sunday’s attack and its potential impact on pilgrim footfall.
Despite efforts to institutionalize the management of religious sites like the Shiv Khori shrine, security challenges persist in the mountainous terrain of Pir Panjal region, enabling militants to carry out precision strikes and targeted attacks.
The recent attack poses a new challenge for security forces in the region, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard civilians and maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has pledged to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further disturbances in the Jammu region.
